China Eastern expands fleet with next-generation Airbus

China Eastern Airlines took delivery of its first A350-900 airplane at the Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on Friday, in its latest bid to capture flyers in the premium long-haul intercontinental flight market.

China Eastern is set to receive two A350-900 aircraft in 2018, with 18 more scheduled for 2022, according to Liu Shaoyong, chairman of China Eastern. The delivery takes the size of China Eastern's fleet up to 700 aircraft.

"China Eastern carries more than 400,000 passengers across the world on a daily basis, and every year takes more than 120 million air travelers to 1,074 destinations in 174 nations and regions. All these safe and sound trips cannot be made without quality aircraft and engines," said Liu.